The governing body of the Higher Education Commission (HEC) here on Tuesday held its 42nd meeting to discuss the commission’s policies and operations for betterment of the higher education sector. Presiding the meeting, Chairman HEC Dr. Mukhtar Ahmed welcomed the newly appointed members of the commission and briefed them about HEC’s objectives, functions, achievements, and the challenges. The meeting emphasized upon prioritizing and realigning strategic direction of the higher education sector to the national needs and impact for the socio-economic development of the country. The commission also deliberated upon the provision of Recurring Grant to new universities/HEIs and approved the HEC Recurring & Development Allocations for the current financial year 2023-24 and revised estimates for 2022-23. It revived its Standing Committees constituted under different thematic areas related to Quality Assurance & Programme Accreditation, Academics, Human Resource, Finance & Audit, and agreed to frequently meet to catalyze policy work, and strengthen the higher education sector based on academic excellence, good governance and financial sustainability.